One embodiment describes a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor in a control circuitry. The instructions include instructions to receive an instruction to make a switching device; determine, using the control circuitry, a voltage waveform of a power source; determine, using the control circuitry, a desired time to make the switching device based at least in part on the source voltage waveform; determine, using the control circuitry, an expected make time of the switching device; and determine, using the control circuitry, when to apply a pull-in current to make the switching device at the desired time based at least in part on the expected make time and the desired time to make.

One embodiment describes a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium storing instructions executable by a processor in a control circuitry. The instructions include instructions to receive an instruction to make a switching device; determine, using the control circuitry, a voltage waveform of a power source; determine, using the control circuitry, a desired time to make the switching device based at least in part on the source voltage waveform; determine, using the control circuitry, an expected make time of the switching device; and determine, using the control circuitry, when to apply a pull-in current to make the switching device at the desired time based at least in part on the expected make time and the desired time to make.

A PCB motor controller comprises relays mounted on a PCB and interconnected to power traces in or on the PCB to receive incoming three-phase power and to output three-phase power to a motor. Control power traces in or on the PCB connect the relays to control circuitry, also mounted on the PCB. A power supply is mounted on the PCB and connected to the control circuitry to provide power for its operation and for switching of the relays. The relays are switched in accordance with a point-on-wave (POW) switching scheme, allowing for the use or relays and the PCB, which may not otherwise be suitable for motor control applications.

One embodiment describes a switching device system, which includes a first single pole switching device that selectively connects and disconnects a first phase of electric power to a first winding of a three phase motor; a second single switching device that selectively connects and disconnects a second phase of electric power to a second winding of the three phase motor; in which the first and second single pole switching devices control temperature of the motor by, at a first time, connecting the first phase and the second phase electric power to the motor.

One embodiment describes a switching device system, which includes a first single pole switching device that selectively connects and disconnects a first phase of electric power to a first winding of a three phase motor; a second single switching device that selectively connects and disconnects a second phase of electric power to a second winding of the three phase motor; in which the first and second single pole switching devices control temperature of the motor by, at a first time, connecting the first phase and the second phase electric power to the motor.

A contactor apparatus and method for operating the contactor apparatus can include a contactor assembly with a contactor coil operably coupled to a contactor switch. One or more sensors can be provided in the contactor assembly adapted to measure one or more aspects of the contactor assembly. Based upon the measured aspects, a controller can initiate operation of the contactor switch to effectively toggle the contactor switch at a zero-crossing point along an alternating current waveform.

A contactor apparatus and method for operating the contactor apparatus can include a contactor assembly with a contactor coil operably coupled to a contactor switch. One or more sensors can be provided in the contactor assembly adapted to measure one or more aspects of the contactor assembly. Based upon the measured aspects, a controller can initiate operation of the contactor switch to effectively toggle the contactor switch at a zero-crossing point along an alternating current waveform.

A vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle are provided. The method of controlling the vehicle includes detecting, by an excitation voltage computational measuring device, an excitation voltage applied to an excitation coil of a relay provided to regulate power supply of a battery; calculating, by a logical determination device, a temperature of the relay based on the excitation voltage; and calculating, by the logical determination device, a remaining life of the relay based on the calculated temperature of the relay.

A vehicle and a method of controlling the vehicle are provided. The method of controlling the vehicle includes detecting, by an excitation voltage computational measuring device, an excitation voltage applied to an excitation coil of a relay provided to regulate power supply of a battery; calculating, by a logical determination device, a temperature of the relay based on the excitation voltage; and calculating, by the logical determination device, a remaining life of the relay based on the calculated temperature of the relay.

The present disclosure illustrates an electromagnetic relay device and a control method thereof. In the electromagnetic relay device, a control circuit respectively provides driving power to switch on the two electromagnetic relay units disposed adjacent to each other, and then provides the first holding power and the second holding power, lower than the driving power, to the two electromagnetic relay units after the two electromagnetic relay units are switched on, thereby maintaining the two electromagnetic relay units in the switched-on status. When the electromagnetic relay unit receiving the second holding power is tripped because of the environmental factor, the electromagnetic relay unit receiving the second holding power generates and outputs the trip feedback signal to the control circuit, so that the control circuit increases the first holding power upon receipt of the trip feedback signal. The second holding power is lower than or equal to the first holding power.